A’s Bruce Maxwell may have resolution to legal issues before spring training

SCOTTSDALE, AZ - MARCH 04: Bruce Maxwell #63 of the Oakland Athletics high fives teammates in the dugout after scoring a second inning run against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the spring training game at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on March 4, 2016 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

SCOTTSDALE, AZ - MARCH 04: Bruce Maxwell #63 of the Oakland...

A’s catcher Bruce Maxwell is moving closer to a possible resolution to his legal troubles before Oakland’s pitchers and catchers report to spring training Feb. 14.

The Chronicle has learned that Maxwell has a settlement conference scheduled for Feb. 12 in Phoenix, which means the state is willing to discuss a plea deal for the 27-year-old. Maxwell was indicted by a grand jury Nov. 7 on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and disorderly conduct after allegedly pointing a gun at a food-delivery person on Oct. 28 in Scottsdale, Ariz.

His trial date, initially set for April 10, has been rescheduled for Aug. 9 should the sides be unable to come to a resolution before then.

“Right now, Bruce is focusing on spring training and getting ready for the season,” said attorney Rhonda Neff, who is representing Mazwell along with Michael Kimerer. “We’re working toward finding a resolution.”

Those with knowledge of the case have expected a plea deal to reached before spring training. A’s executives have said throughout the offseason that they believed Maxwell would be fully available for spring training and the regular season despite the looming court case.

Maxwell, who is going into the season as the A’s top catcher for the first time, gained national attention in September when he became the first, and to date only, major-league player to kneel during the national anthem. Maxwell said he was supporting NFL players and others who had done so in order to protest the treatment of African Americans by law enforcement.